How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
A dental crown is a dental restoration that restores the visible portion of a damaged tooth, above the gum line, to its proper shape, size, and function. In addition to improving the function of the teeth by enhancing their size and restoring their shape, dental crowns can confer the added benefit of improving the appearance of the smile. A traditional dental crown is a snug, tooth-shaped cap that fits over a natural tooth or, when supported by a dental implant, replaces a missing natural tooth. There are several materials used to make dental crowns, and there are also different types of dental crowns that are used in different situations and for varying reasons. At your initial treatment consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth and your oral cavity, taking x-rays or other images as needed, before discussing your treatment options with you. In less serious situations, your dentist might recommend more conservative treatments like fillings, inlays, or onlays. If you and your dentist decide that a dental crown is your best treatment choice, you can review the different types more closely with your dentist, factoring in the expected lifespan of your dental restoration before making a decision and beginning treatment.
The purpose of a dental crown, most of the time, is to protect the tooth it’s covering and extend that tooth’s life. In some cases, the condition of the tooth that supports a dental crown becomes so significantly compromised that it affects the lifespan of the crown, and both the crown and tooth must be removed. Then, the extracted tooth can be replaced with a crown that is supported by a dental implant or dental bridge. When a well-designed dental crown is placed on a treated, properly prepared tooth by an experienced dentist, it could last as long as 30 years, though the average lifespan of a dental crown is anywhere from ten years to 30. Your dentist can provide a more accurate estimate when you meet to plan and discuss your treatment. Because most crowns last at least eight years, many insurance providers cover replacement crowns up to about five to eight years.
The condition of the supporting tooth is a primary factor in the life expectancy of a dental crown, but the quality and fit of the crown plays a big role, too. Your dentist should fit the crown properly, and the dental laboratory they work with should employ skilled technicians that craft grade-A restorations. If you’ve had a crown that failed or was otherwise problematic, you might want to find a dentist who works with a different dental laboratory. Even when your crown is properly fitted and well-made, there are other factors that affect the lifespan of a dental crown. Oral hygiene, of course, is a major contributing factor; after all, if the teeth decay or fall out, the crowns they support will fall out, too. Other counterproductive habits like biting or chewing on ice or hard candy, grinding the teeth, or using the teeth as tools can damage your crowns along with your healthy natural teeth. Finally, the material chosen for your dental crown will greatly influence its expected lifespan. While porcelain and ceramic materials very closely resemble the natural teeth, they’re not as durable as dental alloys, though there are clearly other important factors to consider when deciding which material to choose.
Overall, dental crowns remain one of the most versatile dental restorations available for dentists and patients who want to extend the life and preserve the health of damaged natural teeth.
